Low levels in the Mekong River impacting cargo ships near Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI, 8th March 2018 (NNT) – A reduction in water releases from Chinese dams and local drought conditions have resulted in the water level of the Mekong River in Chiang Rai dropping, and impeding ship transport.

Water levels in the Mekong River at Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai since February have been stable at about 1.9 meters, limiting the movements of large cargo ships, especially 150 to 300 ton container ships from China. Boats are having to proceed with caution between Myanmar and Laos as rocks are now protruding in many areas.

Vice President of the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, Pakaimas Wiera explained today that the Mong Pa Laew area along the Myanmar-Lao border, 53 kilometers north of Chiang Saen, is the most difficult area to pass through during the dry season due to it being only 12 meters wide.

The situation is expected to improve however, as the Jinghong Dam in Yunnan province of China, is increasing its release to as much as 1,200 cubic meters of water per second. The river level has yet to impact tourist boats.

CHIANG RAI – Small freight vessels and passenger cruises have resumed services after the water level rose above two metres on a stretch of the Mekong River in Chiang Saen district yesterday, according to the provincial office.

Cargo and cruise vessels plying the international river were mostly grounded last week when the water level dropped below two metres after the Jinghong dam in China discharged less water, which disrupted freight and passenger transport in downstream countries, including Thailand.

Chiang Rai provincial governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn said the river receded to an average of 1.9 metres last week leaving even small cargo and passenger vessels stranded.

The shallow water left many boats unable to unload passengers as they had to moor too far from the banks, he said.

The Marine Department, security agencies and the Foreign Ministry contacted Chinese authorities and asked for more water to be released from the dam.

Mr Narongsak said China agreed to the request and released more water, pushing the level in the Mekong up to 2.30 metres in Chiang Saen district.

The cargo and passenger boats stranded last week in Chiang Rai, the south of China, Myanmar and Laos, have now resumed services. Many of the boats were grounded in Ban Mong Pa Liew on the border between Myanmar and Laos which is about 50 kilometers from Chiang Saen district.

Mr Narong, the Marine Department and navy officials inspected the river in the district yesterday. Although the water has risen above two metres, boat drivers have been warned to take extra care when negotiating the waterway.

Last week, a source familiar with the water issue said before the Jinghong dam was built, the Mekong was almost dry in several parts at the onset of summer.

After the dam opened, China was able to better control the flow of the international river from its end.

However, the river became unusually shallow for this time of year even with the stabilizing system afforded by the dam. The most affected areas have been the Saen Pee, Mong Pa Liew and Tang Or watercourses in parts of the river where rocks and boulders are found.

Mr Narong said yesterday that if the water level remained stable above two metres, freight and passenger boat services should have no problems. However, large boats may have to carry up to 30% less cargo to avoid the danger of running aground.

A local source said the Jinghong dam, situated about 300 kilometers north of Chiang Saen district, had only been discharging about half of the usual volume, which is unusual.

BANGKOK, 14th March 2018 (NNT) - The water situation at some parts of the Mekong River has become critical. In Chiang Rai, naval officers have assisted commercial boats getting stuck on sandbars in the river.

A naval unit in Chiang Rai on Wednesday had to tow the boats and also sent officers to patrol shallow parts of the river in Chiang Saen district. The naval unit warned boat captains to exercise caution when operating vessels on the river.

Cargo ships still cannot pass some parts of the Mekong River, 53 kilometers away from the Golden Triangle, despite the now rising water level. Ships have to transfer their freight to smaller boats so that they can sail pass the shallows.

In Nong Khai, the water level of the Mekong has been decreasing with the latest level being 1.48 meters. In Bueng Kan, tomato farmers have started to be affected by the low water level, prompting them to buy PVC pipes to pump water from the river for more than 10 meters to water their tomato plots.

Mr Narongsak said China agreed to the request and released more water, pushing the level in the Mekong up to 2.30 metres in Chiang Saen district.

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